AP PhotoDetroit's Chris Osgood makes a save against Nashville's David Legwand on Saturday night.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Todd Bertuzzi played the role of hero for the second night in a row for the Detroit Red Wings.

The big forward scored his second goal of the game 24 seconds into overtime to lift the Red Wings to a 3-2 victory Saturday night over the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center.

It was Bertuzzi’s second overtime goal and second two-goal game in as many nights.

“He’s been playing well for a while, he’s just been snake-bitten around the net,’’ coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s been a goal-scorer for a long time, so if he starts feeling it, that’ll be a big help to us.’’

Bertuzzi took a pass from Pavel Datsyuk and barreled his way to the net, making a move in front and beating goaltender Pekka Rinne with a backhand shot.

“Outstanding play by Pav again, forcing the turnover and then leading me into the breakaway,’’ Bertuzzi said. “It’s a lot easier that way, so I can get going and get a jump on the D, try to get some body position on him and get it on my backhand and win it.’’

Said Rinne: "(Defenseman Kevin) Klein was on his back and I guess he's just a strong guy. I thought that there was no way that he could go on his backhand, but somehow he pulled that off and made a nice goal.''

Datsyuk had a pair of assists while Drew Miller picked up a goal and an assist as the Red Wings won for the first time in five games against the Predators dating back to last season (1-3-1).

Chris Osgood, 0-3-2 in his previous five starts, made 33 saves to record his first win since Nov. 5.

“I just want to get myself on a roll, playing playoff hockey, because this year’s different than last,’’ Osgood said. “Last year we were so far ahead that I didn’t need to be at that high level. But this year I think I need to be there for the team. Be at a playoff level earlier in the season than last.’’

Said Babcock: “I thought he did a fine job and got us a win.’’

Babcock said Jimmy Howard will start Monday’s home game against Phoenix.

The injury-depleted Red Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead but were running out of steam, as the Predators outshot them 30-14 in the second and third periods combined.

David Legwand tied the game at 2-2 at 4:45 of the third period. J.P. Dumont settled a bouncing puck for Legwand, who snapped a shot from a sharp angle over Osgood’s shoulder.

Despite being outshot 19-8 in the second period, Detroit outscored Nashville 2-1.

Bertuzzi scored on a nifty spin-o-rama move at 1:21. He took a pass from Miller, skated down the left wing, stopped in the faceoff circle, spun to avoid a check by Ryan Suter, and whipped a backhand shot that beat Rinne on the far side.

“He’s such a big goaltender, I can’t beat him coming down the wing like that, there’s not enough room,’’ Bertuzzi said. “To be honest, I don’t think my shot can get by him, so I was just trying to change the angle of attack. That meant just kind of fake a shot and go to the backhand and slide it down.’’

Miller made it 2-0 at 11:37, swatting the puck out of the air and into the net after Datsyuk’s backhand shot rattled off the crossbar.

“It was more or less a reaction to where the puck was; luckily my stick was under the crossbar and got a good bounce off the blade and went in the net,’’ Miller said. “I’ll take it any way you can. Just driving to the net and trying to find those rebounds. That’s what I’m trying to do right now.’’

Ryan Jones cut Detroit’s lead to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 14:44. Jones deflected in Steve Sullivan’s blast from the top of the faceoff circle.

That goal snapped Detroit’s streak of successful penalty-kills at 27, dating back to Nov. 25 against Atlanta. The Red Wings hadn’t allowed a power-play goal in their last eight games.

“I thought the penalty-kill was outstanding,’’ Babcock said. “Even that goal, who cares, just move on.’’

The Red Wings are just trying to grind out as many wins, pick up as many points any way they can, before they start getting some of their injured players back later this month or in January.

"It’s a tough place to play, they got a quick team, especially against us they always seem to have their ‘A’ game,’’ Osgood said. “We battled hard, hung in there, made smart plays. Definitely a huge win.’’